The Eyes Have It

Learn more about UB professor, in the Department of Opthamology, Margaret DeAngelis, PhD and the diverse donor eye bank she has built during her research. Then you'll know why all eyes are on Buffalo, NY, and the University at Buffalo.

About Margaret DeAngelis
Dr. Margaret DeAngelis’ program of research utilizes a systems-biology-based approach to understand disease mechanisms in both Mendelian and complex blinding conditions, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and hypertensive retinopathy; and co-segregating conditions (Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes). 

To enhance translational efforts, her laboratory and colleagues have created a well-characterized fresh human donor eye bank of ocular tissue, blood, serum, and plasma. Using this resource, contrasting healthy eyes with diseased eyes (accurately phenotyped) has helped delineate potential disease mechanisms. She has published the only standardized phenotyping protocol for human donor eyes specifically used for biochemical and molecular studies. The success of the eye bank is dependent on close collaboration with several board-certified ophthalmologists and fellowship-trained specialists.

Dr. DeAngelis has extensive experience in leading scientific teams for patient ascertainment and recruitment in ethnically diverse vulnerable patient populations within the United States and globally. The success of these studies has been in large part dependent on collaboration across disciplines, and significant community outreach and engagement to inform design and appreciation of the clinical/public health implications of the work.

Dr. DeAngelis is committed to teaching and mentoring the next generation of scientists and clinician-scientists. She actively works to foster inclusion and diversity in her work and is a passionate advocate for women and minority voices to be heard and valued in science.